In the Gray

by B.B. Reid

the girl with waist-length dreads and some kind of gold head chain resting on her neat locks and forehead like a crown stood outside the gates watching me. Our gazes locked, and only one word came to mind in the space of the breath that followed. Queen.

I hadn’t figured out what brought Atlas here, but I didn’t need her life story to know she was sheltered. If I touched her, I’d ruin her. There was no doubt about it.

I was a lion, a predator. We were built to chase our food.

I backed away, suddenly realizing I was trapped. Trapped in a cage with a very hungry lion.

Atlas had risked herself for me, and though I wanted to worship at her feet for riding for me, I didn’t like that shit one bit.

“If you don’t want me to follow you into fire, then don’t run into fire.”

I look at you, Atlas, and all I see is art. I don’t think you’re beautiful despite your condition or because of it. You just are. Period.”

You found her, didn’t you?” “Found who?” “A woman who sees your potential and possesses the fortitude to help you reach it.”

Contrary to what she might think, I didn’t relish the idea of forcing her hand. I wanted her to choose me, but if she chose to do shit the hard way instead, then so be it.

“I’d miss you,” he told me. “And if you left, I’d follow you. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than on your bumper, Dream.”

From the moment she’d tried to kill me in a jealous rage three nights ago, I decided I was ready for a girlfriend, and I wanted that girl to be Dream.

With him, I felt so vulnerable yet so fearless at the same time. I knew nothing could touch me as long as he stalked my shadow.

“You temper this animal inside of me, Dream, but you match it, too. My obsession with you…it’s violent and ugly, but it’s real. You’re the most honest thing I’ve felt in a long time,

I didn’t just wait my entire life for you, Atlas. I saved all my kisses and compliments. I swallowed every promise. I guarded my loyalty…for you. I kept my heart hard as stone so that when the day came I found the woman I couldn’t hold any of that back for, I’d know without a doubt that I’d found the one.”